Rumor: HTC Working on new Facebook Phone, HTC Myst?

A few years ago, Facebook got together with HTC and the Status was released, a handset that featured a QWERTY keyboard and a dedicated Facebook button that was poised to revolutionize social networking on mobile devices. The result? Well, the Status didn’t take off like expected. At all.w Facebook is not taking this sitting down however, as a new rumor comes to us today that Facebook has gotten together with its old buddies HTC and AT&T to develop a newer handset of the same ilk, the HTC Myst.

Thanks to a previously reliable source, we now have details on the specs of the device, which are as follows:Specs:

1.5GHz dual-core MSM8960

4.3? 720p display @320ppi

1GB of RAM

16GB on-board of storage

5MP rear-facing camera

1.6MP front-facing camera

4G LTE and HSPA+ connectivity

Android 4.1.2+

This Jelly Bean powered smartphone should be coming to us sometime this spring. Unfortunately, the unit lacks microSD expansion capability, but the specs are not so bad for a mid-range smartphone. Of course, the real difference in this handset will be the software, which will undoubtedly be focused on Facebook integration. Look for Facebook apps to be pre-installed, such as Facebook Messenger, Instagram and the Facebook app.

With HTC in hot water right now after its poor Q4 2012 earnings and news of their flagship HTC One smartphone being delayed due to component shortages, there is a possibility that this phone may be quickly overlooked. But it could provide penetration into the mid-range smartphone market, and could prove popular with social media maniacs. Only time will tell if the HTC Myst will go the way of the HTC Status.